What to put in my refug

Arcar · 12/06/2017, 02:47 PM

I have a small refug area on my sump. What is the best stuff to put in it?

I know a LED light, some cheto but what else should I use? Mineral mud?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...8&pcatid=18378

-Do you have to change that our every year? or do you put sand on top? I was even just thinking of putting rocks and cheto with no sand.

I seen people use some of these blocks that are very pours. What are they called?

Thanks for the input everyone!

Daltonbilecki · 12/06/2017, 03:11 PM

I don’t like sand in the fuge, it just makes a big mess. Mine has half rubble rock, and half cheato. I also have a plastic container with rubble to get frags to attach.

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VoltzNSalt · 12/06/2017, 04:18 PM

I have the marine pure ceramic plates in my sump with chaeto - that's it

Arcar · 12/06/2017, 06:07 PM

marine pure ceramic plates! Thats what I was looking for, how many should I put in mine? Do you stack a ton of them or just put one at the bottom?

Arcar · 12/06/2017, 06:16 PM

Dr Foster and not to put it with light..

That seems wrong.I have herd these are in refug. So there is a light on it.. I can have a light right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoltzNSalt

I have the marine pure ceramic plates in my sump with chaeto - that's it

Arcar · 12/06/2017, 06:27 PM

What do you think about these for lights in my refug?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/48-LED-Nano...MAAOSwvjdZQcgB

lapin · 12/06/2017, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcar

marine pure ceramic plates! Thats what I was looking for, how many should I put in mine? Do you stack a ton of them or just put one at the bottom?

Here is the link to the info
http://www.cermedia.com/marinepure-technical.php

top shelf · 12/06/2017, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcar

What do you think about these for lights in my refug?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/48-LED-Nano...MAAOSwvjdZQcgB

If my memory is correct I believe you want around 6500k to get the most out of your fuge light. Basically a plant light as that offers the best spectrum for plant growth. I used a 6500 or 6700k spiral cfl bulb from Lowe's in my last tank and grew chaeto very well. Currently don't have any as po4 is only .03 and no3 is only .2 with no visible algae growth and light film on glass I clean once a week so don't see a need for it yet.

lapin · 12/06/2017, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcar

What do you think about these for lights in my refug?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/48-LED-Nano...MAAOSwvjdZQcgB

They will work.

Arcar · 12/06/2017, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapin

They will work.

Thanks I found this and I like it. What you think?

INNOVATIVE MARINE MAGNAFUGE LED REFUGIUM LIGHT - 6500K MAGNET MACRO ALGAE - 7601

top shelf · 12/06/2017, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcar

Thanks I found this and I like it. What you think?

INNOVATIVE MARINE MAGNAFUGE LED REFUGIUM LIGHT - 6500K MAGNET MACRO ALGAE - 7601

I think that light would depend on how big an area you are trying to cover. It's only 6w and states for aio aquariums so seems like it's designed to light only a small space.

Arcar · 12/06/2017, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by top shelf

I think that light would depend on how big an area you are trying to cover. It's only 6w and states for aio aquariums so seems like it's designed to light only a small space.

Ok and some reviews are bad. What you think about this one? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Refugium-li...53.m1438.l2649

top shelf · 12/06/2017, 09:00 PM

What size area are you trying to light?

top shelf · 12/06/2017, 09:03 PM

https://m.lowes.com/pd/SYLVANIA-2-Pa...-Bulbs/3202351

That is what I used, nothing fancy but it worked.

Arcar · 12/06/2017, 09:35 PM

It’s like 12”x6 I believe

top shelf · 12/07/2017, 04:57 AM

https://m.ebay.com/itm/EVO-12-6500K-...10&_mwBanner=1

Was thinking about giving that one a try myself, might be worth looking at.

Whiskylen · 12/07/2017, 06:30 AM

I'm using this, it was a cheap led grow light off eBay (there are lots of options). It keeps my ball of cheato pearling (producing small oxygen bubbles) constantly which is a sign of strong photosynthesis. I'm the 2.5 weeks I've had it running the ball of cheato in my refuge has tripled in size and this is on a brand new tank with very little bioload.

The light is 10" x 10" which work perfect for my fuge

The cheato is probably doubled since this picture

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Arcar · 12/07/2017, 07:40 AM

Thanks for that tip! That light looks really nice! I just personally dont want a huge one over the tank like that.

VoltzNSalt · 12/07/2017, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcar

marine pure ceramic plates! Thats what I was looking for, how many should I put in mine? Do you stack a ton of them or just put one at the bottom?

I have 1" and 4" plates stacked (4 of each - 1" on the bottom, 4" stacked on top to fill the entire fuge area in my 60 gal sump)

Quote:

Originally Posted by top shelf

I used a 6500 or 6700k spiral cfl bulb from Lowe's in my last tank and grew chaeto very well.

This is what I have - it came with the ADHI sump but I'm sure it's just rebranded from a standard Big Box store fixture...

Arcar · 12/07/2017, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoltzNSalt

I have 1" and 4" plates stacked (4 of each - 1" on the bottom, 4" stacked on top to fill the entire fuge area in my 60 gal sump)

This is what I have - it came with the ADHI sump but I'm sure it's just rebranded from a standard Big Box store fixture...

Ill just grab a 6500 bulb if I dont have one already, I already have the socket and holder for it.. So thats simple and cheap ha!

Thanks for the help

ktownhero · 12/07/2017, 09:58 AM

Buy a $12 LED Plant Light from Amazon and put it in a clamp fixture (or wahtever you want). Done. You get 90% of the growth that you get from a $300 Kessil light in a small form factor for about 5% of the cost.

Arcar · 12/07/2017, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktownhero

Buy a $12 LED Plant Light from Amazon and put it in a clamp fixture (or wahtever you want). Done. You get 90% of the growth that you get from a $300 Kessil light in a small form factor for about 5% of the cost.

Awesome, do you have a link?

Arcar · 12/07/2017, 02:08 PM

Ok:

This one
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7V7KLU...PE4T615E&psc=1

or this one?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYH5BN8...PE4T615E&psc=1

DreadCapn · 12/07/2017, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoltzNSalt

I have 1" and 4" plates stacked (4 of each - 1" on the bottom, 4" stacked on top to fill the entire fuge area in my 60 gal sump)

How much water and rock do you have? How heavily stocked are you? I'm assuming nitrates are never a problem for you? I'd love to hear more about how this much is working for you!

12/06/2017, 02:47 PM	#1
Arcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Michigan Posts: 122	What to put in my refug I have a small refug area on my sump. What is the best stuff to put in it? I know a LED light, some cheto but what else should I use? Mineral mud? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...8&pcatid=18378 -Do you have to change that our every year? or do you put sand on top? I was even just thinking of putting rocks and cheto with no sand. I seen people use some of these blocks that are very pours. What are they called? Thanks for the input everyone! __________________ Setting up a new 120 gallon tank Current Tank Info: New 120 Gallon

12/06/2017, 06:07 PM	#4
Arcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Michigan Posts: 122	marine pure ceramic plates! Thats what I was looking for, how many should I put in mine? Do you stack a ton of them or just put one at the bottom? __________________ Setting up a new 120 gallon tank Current Tank Info: New 120 Gallon

12/06/2017, 06:27 PM	#6
Arcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Michigan Posts: 122	What do you think about these for lights in my refug? https://www.ebay.com/itm/48-LED-Nano...MAAOSwvjdZQcgB __________________ Setting up a new 120 gallon tank Current Tank Info: New 120 Gallon

12/06/2017, 09:00 PM	#13
top shelf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,022	What size area are you trying to light? __________________ Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie. Current tank info: 45g SCA Cube

12/06/2017, 09:03 PM	#14
top shelf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,022	https://m.lowes.com/pd/SYLVANIA-2-Pa...-Bulbs/3202351 That is what I used, nothing fancy but it worked. __________________ Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie. Current tank info: 45g SCA Cube

12/06/2017, 03:11 PM	#2
Daltonbilecki Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 282	I don’t like sand in the fuge, it just makes a big mess. Mine has half rubble rock, and half cheato. I also have a plastic container with rubble to get frags to attach. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/06/2017, 04:18 PM	#3
VoltzNSalt In Memoriam Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Higher than the Mile High City Posts: 137	I have the marine pure ceramic plates in my sump with chaeto - that's it

12/06/2017, 09:35 PM	#15
Arcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Michigan Posts: 122	It’s like 12”x6 I believe __________________ Setting up a new 120 gallon tank Current Tank Info: New 120 Gallon

12/07/2017, 04:57 AM	#16
top shelf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,022	https://m.ebay.com/itm/EVO-12-6500K-...10&_mwBanner=1 Was thinking about giving that one a try myself, might be worth looking at. __________________ Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie. Current tank info: 45g SCA Cube

12/07/2017, 06:30 AM	#17
Whiskylen Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 56	I'm using this, it was a cheap led grow light off eBay (there are lots of options). It keeps my ball of cheato pearling (producing small oxygen bubbles) constantly which is a sign of strong photosynthesis. I'm the 2.5 weeks I've had it running the ball of cheato in my refuge has tripled in size and this is on a brand new tank with very little bioload. The light is 10" x 10" which work perfect for my fuge The cheato is probably doubled since this picture Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/07/2017, 07:40 AM	#18
Arcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Michigan Posts: 122	Thanks for that tip! That light looks really nice! I just personally dont want a huge one over the tank like that. __________________ Setting up a new 120 gallon tank Current Tank Info: New 120 Gallon

12/07/2017, 09:58 AM	#21
ktownhero Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 1,426	Buy a $12 LED Plant Light from Amazon and put it in a clamp fixture (or wahtever you want). Done. You get 90% of the growth that you get from a $300 Kessil light in a small form factor for about 5% of the cost.

12/07/2017, 02:08 PM	#23
Arcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Michigan Posts: 122	Ok: This one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7V7KLU...PE4T615E&psc=1 or this one? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYH5BN8...PE4T615E&psc=1 __________________ Setting up a new 120 gallon tank Current Tank Info: New 120 Gallon